Queen hails work of United Nations

Tuesday 6 July 2010 20:50 BST

The Queen addresses the UN General Assembly in New York

The Queen has urged the United Nations to lead the world in tackling "global dangers" like terrorism and climate change while honouring its core commitments of insuring "security, prosperity and dignity" for all.

The monarch's comments came in a historic speech to the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York - the first time she has stood before the 192-member states for 53 years.

She praised the world body's achievements since its formation in 1945 as "remarkable" but also highlighted new challenges that have grown in recent decades.

During the brief visit to New York Britain's head of state also paid her first visit to Ground Zero to meet bereaved families and some of the fire and police officers who were the first to responded to the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Speaking on a podium below the famous UN logo she told the delegates and guests who included the Duke of Edinburgh and UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon: "For over six decades the United Nations has helped to shape the international response to global dangers.

"The challenge now is to continue to show this clear and convening leadership while not losing sight of your ongoing work to secure the security, prosperity and dignity of our fellow human beings."

When the Queen first addressed the UN General Assembly in 1957 she expressed guarded optimism about the institution's ability to achieve the goals of its founding fathers.

She defined those early aspirations as "peace between nations, equality of justice for all" and right of people to live in "freedom and security". The monarch told the delegates the future of the UN would be judged on the strength of the "people's devotion" to achieving those high ideals.

After the UN address the Queen and Duke visited the World Trade Centre site which is still a major construction area. As they walked on to the site large cranes towered over the royal couple while building materials and equipment lay nearby.

After a laying a wreath in memory of almost 3,000 people killed in the terrorist attacks - including 67 Britons - the monarch and Philip met some of the bereaved families.